Local woman makes care packages for military

Posted on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 10:46 am

Yvonne saluting in her uniform.

Yvonne is a cheerful, fun-loving lady who appreciates a man in uniform. Whether they are local law enforcement officers or a deployed Marine, she wants to respect and honor their service. Yvonne has family members who have served overseas in the military so she understands the sacrifices made.

Over a year ago, Yvonne began volunteering with a group of dedicated people who pack and ship care packages to military personnel serving overseas. She meets with the group, Patriot Packages, once monthly to help prepare the packages for shipment. The care packages typically contain personal care items such as shampoo, body wash, lip balm, toothpaste and antiperspirant. Along with the personal care items she helps add snack items including jerky, gum, hard candy and microwave popcorn. Each package also contains a hand-written note of appreciation or encouragement. Tucking the notes in a greeting card, sealing it with a gentle “kiss” and sliding it in the care package is one of Yvonne’s favorite parts of the process. Patriot Packages meets monthly at National Guard Armory in Warrenton.

Yvonne not only shows her appreciation to military personnel, but also to local law enforcement and firefighters as she makes and delivers homemade goodies to them several times a year. She likes to put a smile on everyones face, whether delivering surprise packages of homemade goodies or saluting the guardsmen at the armory she is always happy to help others.